CONCERNS have been expressed on many occasions in the media over the current less-than-desirable state of science, technology and innovation (STI) and research, development and commercialisation (RD&C) in Malaysia. I have myself written about the Academy of Sciences Malaysia’s Science Outlook 2015 and 2017 reports and concluded that the current status of our STI ecosystem is not one that engenders confidence for an “innovation driven, private sector led” economy. Neither is it an encouraging situation for the scientific community in Malaysia who are already disappointed by the lack of commitment to STI and RD&C in the 11th Malaysia Plan despite the emphasis on innovation. I have also described the four scenarios for Malaysia’s different paths towards 2020 which was developed by the Malaysian Foresight Institute at MIGHT in 2012. The truth of the matter is that our STI has been at a standstill, if not actually in decline, since Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad retired as prime minister in 2003. He was our supreme champion in STI. During his time as PM, there was much improvement in our STI ecosystem and many activities in new areas of technology and business development. That period has been termed the golden age of science in Malaysia by a number of analysts.
The scientific community is jubilant at the return of Dr Mahathir to head the new government. This will be an opportunity for STI to be repositioned as a national priority and supported to full capacity so that it will again become a major pillar supporting the national socio-economic development programme of the new government. But there is an urgent need to review the current status of the STI landscape, recognise the weaknesses and take action to enhance the legitimacy, authority and capacity of the various STI-related apparatus now in existence. An eminent scientists group or a sub-committee of the Council of Eminent Persons could be established. It would be better still if Dr Mahathir were to helm a ministry of scientific and technological affairs, a portfolio now missing from the list announced. This will be an appropriate second portfolio for Dr Mahathir befitting his role as a champion of STI. I have, for many years, bemoaned the fact that while we have a fairly good capacity for science advice, it is not matched by a good capacity to receive and act on good advice. With Dr Mahathir taking up the STI portfolio, the equation would be complete and we can look forward again to another golden age in STI to support development in our beloved country.
